Scientists from the Chinese Center for Aerodynamic Research and Development have discovered that installing a plasma generator on drones can charge air particles sufficiently to prevent air flow separation and improve aerodynamic performance.
Scientists from the Chinese defense industry have discovered a way to make high-altitude drones more efficient using plasma excitation technology. This technology manipulates the flow of air using electrically charged particles (plasma) generated on the wings of an airplane, improving aerodynamic performance and allowing for longer flights.
High-altitude drones such as the American RQ-4 Global Hawk or the Chinese CH-9 can fly very high (above 32,800 ft/10,000 meters) and stay in the air for a long time (up to 40 hours). However, at these extreme altitudes, the atmosphere becomes significantly thinner, meaning that far fewer air molecules are available to generate aerodynamic forces.
This drop in air density dramatically reduces overall aerodynamic performance, in particular lift. — an upward force that counteracts gravity and keeps the aircraft in the air.
To this end, a research team from the Chinese Center for Aerodynamic Research and Development (CARDC), located in Sichuan Province, tested a plasma generator mounted on the wings of a drone in a wind tunnel. The generator itself can generate 16,000 volts to ionize air 8,000 times per second, creating plasma bursts that are essentially charged air particles.
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